Vigil for wounded police officer Gabriel Garcia held in San Bernardino

San Bernardino Chaplain Corps Vince Ortega (center) prays with a group during the prayer service for San Bernardino police officer Gabriel Garcia, who is in a medically induced coma after being shot last week, at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino on Monday.
John Valenzuela — staff photographer

SAN BERNARDINO >> A postcard perfect sunset added to the drama of a prayer service Monday evening for wounded San Bernardino Police Officer Gabriel Garcia.

San Bernardino Police Chaplain Ray Miller asked the 2,000 people attending the service at San Manuel Stadium to pray for “Gabe’s healing, for his complete recovery.”

Miller said he was angry about the “cowardly” ambush that felled Garcia, 31, early Friday morning.

That’s when Police Garcia was shot with an assault rifle during a protracted gun battle.

At one point, the crowd, at Miller’s instruction, held out their arms in the direction of Colton’s Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where Garcia is in a medically induced coma and shouted “heal, Gabe!”

In one of the event’s opening remarks, San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis said, “I’d like to express my pride in the police department....The family of Gabriel Garcia, is a model for us all.”

Among the people attending the service were 45-year residents of San Bernardino, Lonnie and Deannie Gallaher.

“The police have held their heads up high,” in San Bernardino, given the bankruptcy and other situations, Deannie Gallaher said.

“We are here to support them and the city,” she said.

Dave Figueroa was among a significant number of those attending from Yucaipa, where the Garcia family has made their home.